BABSON PARK, Fla. (November 16, 2019) – Despite 28 points from junior Tommie Luke, the Webber International University men's basketball team lost for the fifth time this season by less than nine points, suffering an 85-77 loss at home vs. Keiser University on Saturday night inside the Sabbagh Athletic Center.

It was the 2019-20 Sun Conference opener for Webber, which fell to 2-5 overall on the year and 0-1 in The Sun Conference while Keiser improved to 4-1 and 1-0.

Half of Luke's game-high 28 points came from the foul line where he was 14-for-16. Luke also added six rebounds.

Ariel Watson added 11 points on a 4-for-4 mark from the free throw line and also had four assists and three rebounds, and Kevin Grace also had 11 points with two 3-pointers made and three boards.

The final Warrior in double figures in scoring was Javonni Quince with 10 points and six rebounds.

Additionally, Corey Corbin had six points and four rebounds, Chetachukwu Oliver had six points and three rebounds, Malik Morrow had three points and a team-high seven boards, and Joel Coffey had six rebounds and two points.

Despite only shooting 26.19 percent (11-42) in the first half, the Warriors found themselves behind by only seven at the break at 41-34 after the Seahawks shot a strong 46.15 percent (12-26) from the field.

Then, despite shooting 40.63 percent (13-32) from the field in the second half, Webber was still unable to close the gap as the Warriors stayed within 14 points of the lead in the second half but were never able to get any closer than within six points. In fact, Webber trailed by six twice in the final 1:30 of action, first with exactly 1:30 left after two free throws by Luke to make the score 81-75 and then again with only 47 seconds left after a layup by Luke following a steal by Quince to make it 83-77.

Both teams struggled from 3-point range with Webber making only 4-of-27 (14.8 percent) shots from three and Keiser making only 3-of-20 (15.0 percent).

The special statistics between the two teams were nearly identical with both teams getting 18 points off turnovers and 12 fast break points while Webber outscored Keiser 16-12 on second chance points and Keiser outscored Webber 40-38 in the paint. The biggest difference was bench points, where the Warriors held a 20-point advantage at 38-18.

"Keiser is an extremely talented ball club," spoke Webber's Head Men's Basketball Coach Allen Corbin. "I was happy with my guys' effort and toughness tonight, we just need guys to make open jump shots and free throws in order for us to be successful."

Overall for the game, Webber shot 32.4 percent (24-74) from the field and 67.6 percent (25-37) from the free throw line.

Next up, Webber will look to get into the TSC win column by hosting Florida Memorial University at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, inside the Sabbagh Athletic Center. Last season, the Warriors defeated the Lions in both meetings, winning 81-73 at home and then 93-81 on the road. FMU is currently 1-3 overall in 2019-20 so far and is 0-1 in the TSC coming off a close 96-90 defeat at Ave Maria University earlier on Saturday.